Rookie CBs step up

Dolphins 22, Patriots 21

December 7, 2009|By Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The last time Vontae Davis lined up against Randy Moss, the Dolphins' rookie cornerback admittedly left Gillette Stadium a little bit in awe.

Not just at the physical ability of Moss, who on Sunday became the second player in NFL history to record 10 or more 1,000-yard receiving seasons, joining Jerry Rice. But at the education he received in that game almost a month ago.

Davis took that six-catch, 147-yard, one-touchdown tutorial from Moss in stride but made sure he learned his lesson.

"You've got to grow up sometime," said the Dolphins' first-round pick.

There was no better time than Sunday for the Dolphins' pair of rookie cornerbacks, Davis and Sean Smith, to show growth. Even though both gave up huge touchdowns to the Patriots, they responded by making key plays that helped seal the 22-21 win over New England.

"Randy won't say nothing [during the game] because he's trying to torch you. But afterward he pays his respects," said Davis, who picked off a pass intended for Moss in the end zone early in the fourth quarter, preventing the Patriots from expanding a 21-19 lead.

Davis tried his best in the first quarter, but he still allowed Moss (two catches for 66 yards and one touchdown) to get behind him, splitting double coverage to score a 58-yard touchdown on the game's first drive.

Smith also had his troubling moments. On the Patriots' first drive of the third quarter, he was trying to pick off one of Tom Brady's many deep throws.

The team's second-round pick was in position to pull down his first interception of the season. But Sam Aiken wrestled the ball away from him and tightroped the sidelines, leaping over Smith's failed attempts to stop him before trotting 81 yards into the end zone for a 21-10 New England lead.

Smith said that when he got to the sidelines, just about every coach and defensive player told him to forget about the play because he'd have his opportunity to redeem himself. And Smith did so in the game's final 50 seconds when Brady heaved a 40-yard bomb to Aiken along the right sideline.